If You See This Red Flag at the Grocery Store, Never Buy the Milk

Milk is one of those groceries people often grab on autopilot, usually after checking the date and maybe the price. But according to Simply Recipes, there is one packaging clue that deserves more attention before the carton ever reaches your basket: a bulging or compromised container.

The issue is not that every slightly swollen carton is automatically dangerous. The problem is that bloating can sometimes point to microbial growth, packaging damage, or temperature abuse — all of which can affect freshness and, in some cases, safety.